By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Minister of State for Environment. Dr Iziaq Salako, on Friday said Press freedom is essential in promoting transparency, accountability and social justice, which is critical to communicating the threat posed by climate crisis.
He said this at the World Press Freedom Day organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and UNESCO at Radio House, Abuja with the theme “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crisis”
“Let us therefore work together, across sectors and borders, to harness the power of media in addressing the environmental crisis and advancing sustainable development. Journalism plays a pivotal role in advancing environmental agendas, catalysing change, a watchdog for accountability, and a voice for the voiceless,” the Minister said.
The Minister further stressed that press for the planet at this point is most needed if we are to get the public behind global and national agendas like net zero, energy transition, biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, 30 by 30 to end plastic pollution and other pathways to address the environmental crisis.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris in his speech reassured the citizens of the government’s continued commitment to protecting the rights and promoting the principles of press freedom as well as supporting journalists in their mission to protect the planet.
Head of Office, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Nigeria, (UNESCO) Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, pointed out that information plays a key role in responding to the existential environmental crisis, however, dis and misinformation pose a challenge.
“Unfortunately, dis-and misinformation about environmental issues is crippling public and political support for climate action, effective policies, and the protection of vulnerable communities, including women and girls affected by climate change.
“We all can relate to the effect of climate change in the communities in Nigeria, dis and misinformation on these issues have brought about insecurity in some of these areas.
“The role of the media in shaping public opinion and influencing behavior necessary for protecting the earth cannot be underestimated, especially in Nigeria where public patronage of media content is significantly high. Engaging the media and climate change actors here today to address this global issue is necessary to counter misinformation and disinformation associated with planetary crises, he said.
The 2024 celebration is dedicated to interrogating the role of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of current global planetary crises with the theme “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”.
